H.K. Kumaraswamy, Sakleshpur MLA, had a tough time on Thursday as the residents of a village in Hettur hobli expressed their ire with him over the poor condition of roads.
The residents forced Mr. Kumaraswamy to sit in an autorickshaw and pass through the road that connects Hettur with Vanaguru in Sakleshpur taluk to know about the condition of the road himself. The incident led to heated arguments between the supporters of the MLA and the protesters, prompting the police to resort to a mild lathi-charge.
Residents of Hettur had called for a bundh in the hobli demanding that the work to improve road connectivity be taken up immediately. At around 3.30 p.m., Mr. Kumaraswamy met the protesters and assured them that he would get the work done. Unsatisfied with his assurance, the protesters forced him to get into an autorickshaw and travel on the bad road. The protesters continued to blame the government and the elected representatives for the poor condition of roads, even as the MLA arrived at Vanaguru. On of the supporters of the MLA criticised the protesters for their conduct. Enraged by his remarks, many of the protesters started assaulting him.
Led by Yeslur police sub-inspector Siddesh, the police resorted to a mild lathi-charge to bring the situation under control. A couple of protesters were injured in the incident. Condemning the police action, the residents began a dharna, urging the MLA to suspended the sub-inspector immediately. Mr. Kumaraswamy said he would speak to the senior officials on the subject.
People force Kumaraswamy to travel on the road by an autorickshaw
Police resort to mild lathi-charge when people started beating a supporter of MLA
